Playground swing



Oct; 9, 1928.

w. o. T. WATKINS PLAYGROUND SWING Filed June 14, 1927 Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STATES )WILLIAM O. T. WATKINS, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

PLAYGROUND SWING.

Application filed June 14, 1927. Serial No. 198,834.

My invention relates to swings, more particularly of the type designed for use on play rounds for children. It has among its obects to provide a construction that insures safety to children using the swings and practically guards against accidents which frequently happen by reason of recklessness and unrestrained exhilaration on the part of the children due in part to the excitement incident to the sport indulged in by children usin the swin s rovided at man or most childrens school or play grounds. It is matter of common knowledge that accidents not infrequently happen because the child swings so high that it is carried to the plane of the point of suspension of the swing, or so near thereto as to be thrown out of the swing and injured by the drop or fall. This danger is also likely to be promoted or made more likely when one or two children occupy the swing in a standing posture in which the temptation to swing to the highest point is stronger than when occupying the swing in a sitting posture. The present invention has for its major purpose to prevent the occupant of the swing from swinging too high by providing a limit or guard within the range of safety, and secondly to provide a safety guard which will prevent a child or children from occupying and using the swing in a standing position thus insuring that the child shall occupy a sitting position when using the swing.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear the invention consists in the features hereinafter particularly described and then sought to be clearly defined by the claims, reference being had to the accompanyin drawing forming a part hereof, and in whic Figure 1 is a side elevation of a swing embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is an end view taken centrally of the frame and showing an intermediate brace for the frame structure.

In the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the main frame structure, preferably of tripodal formation, and comprising laterally and downwardly diverging members 2 constituting end legs of the structure connected together by a centrally disposed or hip-member 3 constituting the support from which the cables or chains 4 carrying the swingseats 5 are suspended; and 6 designates brace members extending downwardly from the ends of the main frame structure and tending to stabilize the frame. The several members constituting the structure so far described are preferably metal bars or metallic tubes connected together at junction points by any suitable union couplings or. other means to make a strong union connection between the members. If the main frame be of sufficient length to warrant it, an intermediate brace member 7 constituting diverging legs or braces may be employed, as illustrated.

For the purpose of restricting the swing of the suspension cables of the swing, I position along one side of the main frame, extending longitudinally thereof, a regulating or restraining bar or rod 8 disposed between the cable suspension rod and base of the main frame, preferably substantiall midway thereof and lying outside of or eyond the Vertical plane of the cable suspension rod so that in the swing of the suspending cables they will strike against this restraining bar and prevent the swing moving so high in its oscillation as to throw the child occupant from the seat of the swing. The regulation or restraining bar is supported by rods or bars 9 suitably coupled or attached at one end to the adjacent l'eg members 2, and to the intermediate brace-member 7 if used, and it may be braced in its position by rods or bars 10 suitably connected or coupled at one end to the restraining bar 8 and at the other end to the suspension or hip-member 3. In practice the rods 9 may be approximately two feet, more or less, in length, and preferably are set with an upward lnclination as illustrated.

The position or location of the regulating or restraining rod 8 with relation to the swing-seat is such that there be not sufficient distance between the swing-seat and horizontal plane of the rod to permit a child to assume a standing position in swinging, the bar offering or constituting an obstruction in the ath of the body of the child and causing him or self protection to assume a sitting instead of a standing posture in using the swing. It will be observed from the foregoing that the possibility of injury to children resulting from the causes named is safeguarded against to a practical extent.

I have illustrated and described the preferred details of construction of the various features of the playground swing but it is obvious that changes in details may be made and essential features of the invention retained as sought to be defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim is 1. A playground swing, comprising an overhead support, cables suspended from said support, a safety-restraining bar positioned in the path of swing of the cables to one side thereof and lower than the overhead support and adjacent a medial line passing through the cables, said bar functioning to limit the forward swing of the cables.

2. A playground swing, comprising an overhead support, cables suspended from said support, and a safety-restraining bar positioned in the path of swing of the cables and in such relation to the lower portion of the cables that an occupant of the swing must assume a sitting posture to avoid striking said bar, the bar serving also to limit the swing of the cables.

3.A playground swing, comprising a frame having upright end supports and a bar connecting one end support with the other, cables suspended from said connecting bar, a safet restraining bar parallel to said connecting air and positioned in the path of swing of the cables to one side thereof and lower than said connecting bar, and bars extending laterallv from the end supports of the frame and sustaining said safety-restraining bar, said restraining bar serving to limit the swing of the cables.

4, A playground swing, comprising a frame having upright end supports anda bar connecting one end support with the other, cables suspended from said connecting bar, a safety-restraining bar parallel to said connecting bar and positioned in the path of swing of the cables to one side thereof and lower than said connecting bar, bars extending laterally from the end supports of the frame and sustaining said safety-restraining bar, and braces connecting said restraining bar and the connecting bar of the frame, said restraining bar serving to limit the swing of the cables.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM O. T. WATKINS. 

